Rural Michigan leaders say they want to feel comeback

Tereasa NimsFor the Daily News

Published
1:29 am EDT, Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Republicans talked about bringing more tax dollars to rural Michigan so the area can feel the comeback that southern parts of the state are feeling at the recent Lincoln Day Dinner at Riverwalk Place in Gladwin.

It was a bittersweet evening as Gladwin County Republican Chairwoman Linda Birgel said this was her farewell, as she is not running for another term. Yet, Michigan National Republican Committeewoman Kathleen Berden, 97th State House Rep. Jason Wentworth, Sen. Jim Stamas and Congressman John Moolenar all reported good things are happening for the party in Washington, D.C.

Wentworth talked about honoring the more than 44,000 women veterans in Michigan and reaching veterans who live in areas with no veteran's office, such as Arenac County. He was also passionate about rural Michigan feeling the comeback that southern Michigan has felt.

"Rural Michigan hasn't caught up with the Michigan comeback," he said.

Wentworth is proposing a rural jobs act, that would allow businesses to apply for capitol that they wouldn't have access to otherwise. He said Detroit received $600,000 -- but there is nothing for rural Michigan.

"My goal is to get some of that up here for rural Michigan."

Also present was gubernatorial candidate Dr. Jim Hines, Richard Zeile who seeks the Michigan Board of Education position and Stan Grot, who is the Shelby Township clerk seeking the Secretary of State position. Gladwin City Administrator Bob Moffit and Gladwin County Commissioner Chuck Hinman both said they are running for county road commissioner. The two longtime friends wished each other well. Both said they want to make the county better.

"Dead people should not be allowed to vote," Grot said. "More people are registered to vote than living in the precincts."

Grot said he wants to stop that, along with requiring citizenship of voters.

Hines, who is one of four Republican candidates seeking the nod, is an obstetrics and gynecology physician from Saginaw.

"I'm an outsider," Hines said. "I see that as a strength."

Hines focused on helping students reach their potential and eliminating potholes that tear up vehicles.

"As I deliver babies, I will deliver for this state," Hines said.

The evening also featured Democrats, such as Gladwin County Commission Chair Terry Walters and commissioner Sandra Aultman. Walters, who admitted he voted for President Donald Trump, said commissioner Don Birgel might get his way, in that Walters may become a Republican one day.

"We're just trying to make things better," Walters said. "We have a great team and we are working together and moving things forward."

"Sometimes we've got to cross the aisle," said Gladwin County Republican Party board member LaVel Smith, noting that Democratic support is helpful.

Gladwin County Republican board member Peggy Vanderhagen received the Bell Ringer honor, given annually at the dinner. The other honor given, Republican of the Year, was given to the late Ruth Ford, who died last year. Her son, Midland dentist Doug Ford, accepted the honor.